The Back Gate Issue: Measures Proposed by the University

As those of us who haven’t been living under a rock may know, the back gate issue has been a hotly debated one in college, with the majority of the student body in favour of keeping it open for students as well as teachers. For the ones who haven’t been following it, here’s a quick summary: Sexual harassment incidents next to college. Sexual harassment bad. Must open back gate. Will cut down half the journey. Back gate opening good.

After student representatives discussed their concerns with the administration, the University has come out with some proposed measures to curtail such incidents, the first of which is the setting up of a police post adjacent to campus. If this does go into effect, it’ll probably lead to a drastic reduction in the number of incidents. A security guard is to be posted during 4-6 P.M. at the service road turn leading into the main road running adjacent to campus. An NLU Delhi security booth is also proposed to be set up so as to provide visibility and security to all commuters using that particular stretch.

The long-standing demand of opening the back gate to students from 4 P.M. to 6 P.M. is to be fulfilled, subject to the approval of the Vice Chancellor, CCTV cameras are to be installed at all strategic points around the service lane in question and the cab service is to be streamlined. To further bolster the sense of security amongst students and facilitate the process of safe movement, it is proposed that a few trips may be taken in the University bus to the local market areas at fixed timings. In addition to these, periodic meetings are to be organised between the local police force and representatives of both the University and the student body to discuss issues pertaining to the problem and working for eventual solutions. Some special training sessions to handle crisis situations may also be organised.

These are all measures currently under discussion and have been conveyed to the student body via an email from the Registrar. If effected, they may render the problem null. We commend the administration for coming up with measures we feel are extremely progressive and in the interests of the student body as a whole. The University is open to further discussion on the issue and invites all students interested to come up with solutions they feel are pertinent in addressing it.